A day after the ACB officials submitted a detailed report on their raids on liquor syndicates across the state to the special ACB court in Hyderabad, the officials of the excise department formed a JAC and discussed the issue in depth.

Squarely blaming the government for the syndicate scam, the JAC said that it was true that the liquor shops have been violating the rules and selling liquor at higher rates than the MRP but the excise officers were handicapped by the targets given by the government to them.

“The department is running short of staff and at the same time we are being given targets by the government,” the JAC said adding that the liquor syndicates have been commanding the excise department in these circumstances. “They are dictating terms to us and our hands are tied,” it said.

The JAC said it had asked its officers to strictly monitor the excise policy henceforth and ensure that the liquor shops sell the liquor at the prescribed MRP.

Meanwhile, liquor addicts in Vijayawada have formed the AP Liquor Consumers’ Association and demanded the government to take steps to ensure that liquor is sold across AP at the prescribed MRP. (JUBS)